McCormick Place has been awarded the first CardioReady (CR) industry certification by the CR Certification Corporation for its commitment to American Heart Association guidelines for protecting the safety of guests, attendees and employees.

“We are proud that McCormick Place is the first convention facility in the country to implement the use of automated external defibrillators,” said Leticia Peralta Davis, CEO of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), which owns and operates McCormick Place and Navy Pier.

“The certification of McCormick Place as CardioReady acknowledges our ongoing commitment to client safety and health.”

CardioReady certified facilities follow American Heart Association guidelines for protecting guests, attendees, and employees from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) — a leading cause of death.

Requirements for receiving certification include medical supervision, strategic placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) throughout the facility, trained staff, documented equipment testing and maintenance programs, coordination with local emergency response entities and compliance with local, state and federal regulations.

By qualifying for this certification, McCormick Place has once again proven its dedication to its guests, attendees and employees.

CardioReady certified facilities will be identified throughout the OnVantage Marketplace for Meetings, enabling meeting professionals to select facilities that have employed best practices for cardiac emergency programs. These facilities offer protection similar to that which business travelers and meeting attendees have come to expect at their places of employment.

McCormick Place currently has 62 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) available for public access throughout its facilities. More than 250 security/fire safety officers, managers, trades people, and tenants have been certified in CPR and trained in the use of these units.

"We are pleased that a facility of this caliber has committed to an ongoing program designed to serve one critical mission:  increase the chance of survival due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest,” noted Norman L. Norris, Chairman of CR Certification Corporation. “MPEA’s leadership in providing a program of this magnitude for its clients is an outstanding model for the meetings and convention industry.”